AUBURN, Alabama -- By all the accounts that Ellis Johnson has heard, Demetruce McNeal has put whatever issues he faced at the end of spring practice behind him.

Now, Johnson needs McNeal to return to the form that made him Auburn's leading returning tackler last season.

McNeal, a two-year starter at safety, will be listed as a "slash" option on the depth chart at boundary safety along with Josh Holsey, a natural cornerback who was moved to safety at the end of the spring to shore up depth.

"We're expecting him to come back and play as a returning, starting SEC safety," Johnson said. "We'll double-teach Holsey. We'd much rather see Demetruce come back and be ready to go."

Auburn's coaching staff has limited contact with the players during the summer, but the coaches met with strength and conditioning coach Ryan Russell on Tuesday morning for a status update.

McNeal has turned in a solid summer after missing the final five practices of the spring before returning to the team shortly after the Tigers wrapped things up.

"He's had a good summer injury-wise and attitude and work habits," Johnson said. "Struggled a little bit with one course, but he's getting it done. We're very optimistic that he's ready to return and be right on target."

McNeal's presence is sorely needed at a safety position that was thin without him. Jermaine Whitehead closed out the spring as the frontrunner at free safety, and junior college transfer Brandon King will start his Auburn career at the boundary, but McNeal's experience and range will be key in a safety-heavy defense.

"When (McNeal) was gone, it was obviously pretty thin back there," Johnson said. "We've got to develop some depth back there. It comes down to him coming back and having a good re-entry."